Joseph Schroeder has a diverse background in psychology, neuroscience, cell biology, neuropathology and pharmacology. Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of behavior has been the unifying theme of his research interests from the beginning of his career.

He believes in adopting a multi-level approach to unlocking the secrets of animal behavior, stressing the importance of employing molecular, cellular, neural systems and whole animal methodologies in the lab.

Schroeder helped define the feline model of Parkinson’s disease as his doctoral thesis and went on to examine changes in cell signaling pathways following chronic cocaine administration in animal models of psychostimulant abuse.

He emphasizes the importance of this approach to his student collaborators who regularly present the results of their work at regional and national conferences. Currently, he and his students are developing several zebrafish (Danio rerio) behavioral pharmacology models. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop economical, worthwhile behavioral pharmacology animal models that can be easily adapted and that are especially interesting to undergraduate students.

"Like the entomologist in search of colorful butterflies, my attention has chased in the gardens of the grey matter cells with delicate and elegant shapes, the mysterious butterflies of the soul, whose beating of wings may one day reveal to us the secrets of the mind." - Santiago Ramon y Cajal

"Whenever possible, I try to impart to students the importance tackling a neuroscience concept from molecular, physiological and behavioral levels. A multidisciplinary, multiplaned approach is the best avenue for understanding the complexities of brain and behavior." - Joseph Schroeder